Between August 15 and 17, in Veliko Tarnovo, the art intervention “Rivers of the People” took place, transforming the riverside area of the Yantra River into a space for encounters, creativity, and dialogue. The project is an initiative of The Collective Foundation in partnership with the organization TAM and was realized with the financial support of the National Culture Fund under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan.
What would happen if we looked at the river not just as a natural resource, but as a place for meeting, creativity, and change? The essence of the intervention lies in turning the riverside urban space into a living stage where nature, culture, and people come together. The installation, built from wood, textile, sound, and light, aimed not only for an aesthetic transformation but also to create a social and ecological resonance. The site, unofficially called the “Yantra Beach”, became a symbol of connection – between different social groups, generations, and between humans and the environment.
The chosen location is strategic – situated at the border of several neighborhoods with diverse social and cultural profiles. The project builds bridges through participation, collaborative creativity, and visibility for voices that often remain on the periphery. With the active involvement of the local community, artists, and volunteers, the installation came to life and breathed new energy into one of the city’s most iconic landscapes.
The entire process was captured in 3D and transformed into a virtual project, which was later presented at the international festival for new media and digital art Speculum Artium in Trbovlje, Slovenia.
“Rivers of the People” is more than a project – it is an invitation to the residents and visitors of the city to rethink their relationship with the river and the urban environment, to experience it in a new way – with open senses, respect for nature, and belief in the power of art to transform.
The project “Rivers of the People” is funded under Component 11 “Social Inclusion,” Investment 6 “Development of the Cultural and Creative Sectors,” Measure 2.1 Grant Scheme with Two Sessions “Creation of Bulgarian Productions and Co-productions in the Cultural and Creative Industries Sector and Their Promotion on European and International Art Markets” of the Recovery and Resilience Plan.
